Bruno Fernandes has claimed that the current situation at Manchester United is among the 'toughest moments' he has experienced in his nearly five years at the club, in his first message to supporters after his sending off against Porto.
The Red Devils skipper was dismissed for the second time in as many games against the Portuguese outfit in his side's dramatic 3-3 draw at the Estadio do Dragao.
Fernandes was given his marching orders with less than 10 minutes to play with his side chasing a route back into the game, having surrendered a 2-0 advantage. The dismissal came just five days after the 30-year-old saw red for a late tackle on James Maddison in United's 3-0 Old Trafford defeat.
While that decision was later overturned by the Premier League, Fernandes will face a suspension in Europe. He took to social media to break his silence on Friday.
'Tough moment as a team and personally for me, one of the hardest.' He wrote on Instagram. 'Almost 5 years at the club with ups and downs, good and bad moments.
'Personally, I have always had challenges and adversities throughout my career and something that’s never happened was that I go silent or hide myself from responsibilities in difficult moments.
'I know it sounds cliche and most of you United fans will be tired of it, but no one is more disappointed than myself with my own moment.
'Even through this moment, I appreciate all of you that had positive messages of belief in me and the team.'
Prior to Sunday's dismissal, Fernandes had never been sent off in his United career. Yet, at the Dragao his challenge did appear to be a reckless one, the Portuguese star jumping with his studs high in the air to try to reach the ball before Perez, whose head was lowered to clear the ball.
Bruno Fernandes is not happy,' said former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson on BBC's Radio 5 Live. 'He has gone in high with his foot and it is dangerous.
'In Fernandes' defence he is looking at the ball, but when you do that you give the referee no option.'
Fernandes was ultimately saved by the intervention of former captain Harry Maguire, who headed in a 91st-minute equaliser. Embattled boss Erik ten Hag takes his side to Villa Park on Sunday, looking to avoid a defeat which could spell the end of his tenure.
He will be delighted to be able to call up on his skipper for the trip to the west Midlands. However, if he still remains in the job, the visit of Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce will be absent of Fernandes' talents.